Ship and handling means for underwater mining equipment



1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24 1965 18 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS JDSEPH D. DEQLATH, NKZHOLRS E ORESKQ, JOHN L STEVENSAR, JOHN E.FLIPSE 66" ROBERT M DONQLDSON S41 mafia/m,

ATTORNEYS 18 Sheets-Sheet 1967 J. o. DEAL, JR, ETAL SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24, 1965 BY M1 M W ATTORNEYS g- 3, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Fil ed Dec.

18 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24', 1963 18 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS JOSEPH D. DEM. An, NKMOLWS EQRESKO, JON L. STENENSJE, JOHN EPHPSE wmo 5@ bmw E ROBERT M DONQLDSON BY ATTORNEYS ETAL Aug. 8, 1967 J. 0. DEAL, JR.

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT l8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Dec. 24 1965 %o m TK N N E R EW 5 0 W0 Wm W EHS A me w L N H m M w M NJ D N n l du au f 50: IJ STI I R m Ea E v. 8 E D 0 D H .v P E M S HH 0 o J Y B u n n n a CO 55% 8, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24, 1963 l8 Sheets-Sheet 6 iz M ATTORNEYS 1967 J. 0. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24, 1963 18 Sheets-Sheet Ill] INVENTORS mew 095mm, mcuouas BOREQKO, Aouu L.$TE\JEN%,.\r., JOHN E. flLIPSE,

if ROBERT M. Domwsou ATTORNEYS 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT l8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Dec. 24, 1963 INVENTORS JOSEPH 0.0mm, mcuouvs aone'sm, Jon LsTEvEusAn, JOHN E .FL\P$E 6- RQBEIIY M. nounLDSoM Wdh ATTORNEYS 8, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT l8 Sheets-Sheet 9 Original Filed Dec. 24, 1965 Tm. m m woo D 0N m @NQ mo 05 com mm :m m mom 3m 8m m INVENTORS .MEPH Doemgn, mcuouas EDRESKQ JOHN L. ESTEVENQ M AOHM E .FLIP3E -ROBERT M. DONALDSON ATTORNEYS 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT l8 Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed Dec. 24 1965 INVENTORS AQSEPH DDEnLAn, mucus E. OREEMO, 1mm L.STE\!ENS,Jr., Jam Efiwsa 6- ROBERT M. Dommsom ATTORNEYS 8 8, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24, 1965 18 Sheets-3heet 11 H'Zl W28 INVENTORS JMEPH D. DEAL, in, NRHOLPfi BORESMQ JOHN L.$TEvEN%, \r., AOHN E.PL|PsE H m WW W Noam MMDSOH ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,3

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Des. 24, 1963 18 Sheets-Sheet l2 INVENTORS JOSEPH unemgn, mcuomsaoflesm Jouu LSTEVEMSAn, JOHN E.FL\PSE S-ROBERT M. nomnwsou 25%; zed/M1 Mam.

ATTORNEYS 11 EDEAL, JFL, ETAL- SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MIN'LNG EQUIFMENT Original Filed D60. 24%, 196133 INVENTORY ATTORNEYS 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24, 1965 18 Sheets-Sheet M l HHWHHHIHHHIH] T2631 If M ma, L M I IJ w H60 53 "94 INVENTORS JO$EPH DDEALAn, \Mcuoun EORERQ, Jam L.$TEVENS,.\r., low E, FUPSE 6- Qoaemmuomwsou ATTORNEYS g- 3, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR. ETAL SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT l8 sheets sheet 15 Original Filed Dec. 24 1963 0 I. 5 H w B m M \w W M H 5 H w m m \Y W W I m m INVENTORS ATTORNEY Aug 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24, 1965 1.8 Sheets-Sheet 16 JQsEPH D. DEQLAL, NlQHOLQS E-DRESKO, JOHN L.STEVEN,JC, 30H E.'FL\PE *ROBERT M. DONPLDSON BY 6 a Q ATTORNEYS g- 8, 1957 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT l8 Sheets-Sheet 17 Original Filed Dec. 24. 1965 6' ROBERT M. mNN-DSOM Jose? D.DEAL,J., NlCHOLhS EORESKO. Jean L .srzveus,.n., 4mm E. PUPSE OmE mmm. 83 3s 83 OPO 82 .mQE mmm. 2

x 0mm, mmm. QLQ mo! ATTORNEYS 3, 1967 J. D. DEAL, JR, ETAL 3,334,606

SHIP AND HANDLING-MEANS FOR UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec. 24, 1963 18 Sheets-Sheet l8 I407 I45 I44 000 I 5 00C I459 I I I434 I440 0'50 44 I 000 4 456 I443 I450 I I: a. 40

I0 I440 435 I408 I I407 I432 I4 8 I447 INVENTORS JOSEPH mumps. ulcuoufi EARESKO, 3mm Lswveusgn, Joan E.FL\?SE & ROBERT MDNXPILDSON I46"! BY 2 Z M 77 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 26 Claims. (Cl. 114-.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ship carrying all of the necessary components for carrying out an underwater mining operation is provided with a central well formed therein opening upwardly and downwardly of the ship. The deck of the ship adjacent the well portion includes guide track means thereon, and a movable support means including a body means is provided, flanged wheels being provided on the body means and running along said track means to guide movement of the movable support means along the deck and over said well portion. The body means includes a substantially V-shaped cutout portion at the forward part thereof to receive a portion of the underwater mining equipment. A central hole is provided through the body means. Clamping means is mounted in overlying relationship to such hole, the clamping means including a pair of clamping members including upper engaging portions adapted to engage and support parts of underwater mining equipment and being substantially semi-circular portions.

Guide means for guiding movement of the clamping members includes a pair of rollers at opposite sides of each of the clamping members, guide rails being provided on the body means and engaging each of these rollers to guide movement of the respective clamping members. Detent locking means for locking the rollers in operative position includes a movable support portion on which each roller is adapted to rest, each movable support portion being normally spring-urged upwardly to be flush with the upper surface of the body means. The spring means is of such a strength as to normally support the weight of the clamping members. When the clamp ing members are under load when supporting a part of the associated underwater mining equipment, the movable support portions will be moved downwardly so that the rollers will be prevented from rolling back toward inoperative position and will be maintained in clamping position until the load is removed.

Additional guide means for the clamping members includes a pair of guide rods, each guide rod being connected with a clamping member and being slidably supported within holes provided in the body means of the movable support means to guide movement of the clamping members.

A hydraulic ram is operatively connected with each of the clamping members to provide power-operated means for the clamping members. Power drive means mounted on the body means is operatively connected with drive sprockets at the outer side edges of the body means. These drive sprockets are adapted to engage lengths of roller chain secured to the upper surface of the deck means so that intercooperation between the sprockets and the roller chain provide a means for positively driving the movable support means fore and aft of the ship.

Wedge locking means for locking the movable support means in a particular position includes a pair of wedge bearing portions at each side of the body means, each of these wedge bearing portions being of channel-shaped cross sectional configuration and sloping downwardly from the outer side of the movable support means toward the inner portion thereof. A wedge member cooperates with each of these wedge bearing portions, the wedge members each including an upwardly facing surface which slopes downwardly and inwardly toward the inner portion of the associated support means so as to fit snugly against the downwardly facing surface of the wedge bearing portions. The wedge members include an enlarged body portion which is supported for movement along the deck means of roller members rotatably supported at spaced side portions thereof, these rollers being adapted to roll along inclined portions supported by the deck. A pair of spaced upwardly extending guide members are provided on the deck in association with each of the wedge members to guide movement thereof inwardly and outwardly with resepect to the movable support means. A pivotally mounted locking lever is provided and has a portion thereon adapted to cooperate with a portion on an associated Wedge member for holding the wedge member in operative locking position. Lugs supported on the deck have holes formed therethrough, and the locking lever has a hole adapted to be aligned with said last-mentioned hole so that a locking pin can be inserted through the aligned holes for holding the locking lever in its locking position.

Elevator means is mounted for vertical movement within the well portion of the ship and above the well portion of the ship. The elevator means includes a body means comprising an open framework having a central opening formed therethrough. Guide means for guiding vertical movement of the elevator includes vertically extending guide portions supported by the ship adjacent the well portion, cooperating roller means being supported on the elevator body means. Roller means are provided at opposite sides of the elevator body means, the roller means including rollers mounted for rotation about axes which are substantially perpendicular to the adjacent rollers at each side of the body means.

Means is provided adjacent the central portion of the body means for attaching gimbal means to the elevator means. Clamping means includes a pair of clamping portions movably supported with respect to the elevator means and movable over the central opening provided through the elevator body means. Each of the clamping portions includes a support portion on the upper part thereof for engaging underwater mining equipment. Each of the clamping members is supported by a plurality of rotatably mounted wheel members which are adapted to roll along guide rails supported on the upper surface of the elevator body means, the Wheels being provided with flanges for guiding and retaining the wheels on the guide rails. Power-operated hydraulic ram means is connected with each of the clamping portions for moving the clamping portions toward and away from one another.

The elevator operating mechanism for lifting and lowering the elevator body means includes a plurality of sheaves having cables reevcd thereover and connected with the elevator body means. Certain ones of the sheaves are movable relative to one another, ball bearing screw mem bers being provided and having pairs of sheaves interconnected therewith so that rotation of the screw members in one direction causes the sheaves to move away from one another, and rotation in the opposite direction causes the sheaves to move toward one another. Vertical movement of the movable sheave means is guided by a plurality of guide rails which cooperate with lug portions extending from the movable sheaves.

Girders are secured to the side of the well portion adjacent the bottom thereof and extend inwardly to engage the elevator body means and limit the downward movement of-the elevator means within the well portion. A plurality of spaced lock members are secured to portions of the ship in fixed relation thereto, portions of the elevator means being adapted to fit between these lock members, lock pins extending through suitable openings provided in the lock members and said portions of the elevator means so as to positively lock the elevator at the level of the lock members.

The gimbal means includes a pair of substantially oppositely extending radially outwardly directed bearing portions which are journalled for rotation within gimbal support means secured to the gimbal attaching members of the elevator body means. These outwardly directed bearing portions extend from upstanding portions of a first annular portion of the gimbal means so that this first annular portion is mounted for rotation about a first pivotal axis. Als-o supported on this first annular portion and extending upwardly therefrom are journal portions which serve to rotatably support laterally extending portions of a second annular portion for rotation about a second pivotal axis which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first pivotal axis. A tubular portion is fixed to the second annular portion and has a flange at the lower end thereof with spaced holes formed therein to serve as attaching means to secure the gimbal means to a portion of the underwater mining equipment.

The present application is a division of copending US. patent application Ser. No. 332,999, filed Dec. 24, 1963.

The present invention relates to new and novel ship and handling means for underwater mining equipment, and more particularly to mining operations which are carried out at great depths beneath the surface of the sea.

The present invention is directed to the underwater mining of solid substances disposed at the bottom of the sea such as manganese nodules which are resting on the sea bottom and which are found in quantities sufl icient for commerical mining at depths ranging generally from 400 feet to 12,000 feet or more beneath the surface of the sea.

The apparatus employed for mining such substances according to the present invention includes a novel ship structure adapted to move through the water over a particular mining area of the sea bottom, a collecting means being provided which moves along the sea bottom itself to collect the solid substances, and a conduit means is provided for transporting the collected solid bodies from the collecting means up to the ship.

The conduit means of the invention is preferably formed of a plurality of individual conduit sections which may be readily assembled and disassembled with respect to one another, and suitable means is provided for stowing and handling these individual conduit sections.

The ship structure is also provided with means for stowing the collecting means and for moving it into and out of its operative relationship with respect to a central well portion provided in the ship through which the underwater mining equipment is lifted and lowered.

The present invention contemplates a completely selfcontained ship which is adapted to carry out the underwater mining operations far out at sea, the ship being designed to operate for extended periods of time with all of the equipment required for the underwater mining operation being carried by the ship and stowed on board.

The ship is provided with a novel well portion located at a central part of the ship such that when the ship is in operative m-ining position, the well portion opens downwardly into the sea and facilitates handling of the mining equipment which depends through this well portion from the ship downwardly to the sea bottom. This enables the large heavy components of the underwater mining equipment to be successfully lowered into position and raised from operative mining position, the well portion being so positioned as to facilitate handling of the ship and positioning of the ship properly for lowering operations. I

Since all of the underwater mining equipment is adapted to be carried to the mining site by the ship, the ship must include means for stowing all of the equipment on board and for handling the equipment to move it from its stowed position into operative mining position and to return it to its stowed position when required.

The underwater mining equipment when supported in operative mining position is suspended downwardly through the well portion formed in the ship, and since the collecting means is travelling along the bottom of the sea while the ship is moving to a certain degree on the surface of the sea with respect to the underwater components, it is necessary to permit a certain amount of relative movement between the conduit means and the ship. Accordingly, means is provided for supporting the conduit means from the ship so that such relative movement may occur.

The mining ship of the present invention includes a unique stowage means for stowing the individual sections of the conduit means in as compact a space as possible, the individual sections being maintained in proper stowed position by suitable guide portions provided within the stowage area which also ensure that the conduit sections are properly guided when being removed from the stowage area or returned thereto.

Means is also provided within the stowage area on the ship in the form of a maneuverable vehicle which permits a single operator to move about within the stowage area and to effectively lift and lower the large conduit sections and move them into the desired position.

Suitable handling means is provided on the ship to enable the handling of the underwater mining components. An overhead bridge crane means arranged for bridge travel in a fore and aft direction and trolley travel athwartships is provided for lifting and lowering the components as required.

In addition, a movable support means is mounted for movement in a fore and aft direction along the deck of the ship, this support means including its own driving means and power operated clamping means which is adapted to engage and support certain of the underwater mining components. Means is also provided for locking the movable support means against movement relative to the deck and further for locking the clamping means in operative position when under load.

Elevator means is provided which is movable into the well portion and thereabove for maneuvering various components of the underwater mining apparatus into the desired position. This elevator means also includes clamping means for clamping and holding portions of the underwater mining equipment. Means is provided for locking this elevator means in several different operative positions as the case may be, and gimbal means is provided for permitting the necessary degree of relative movement between the conduit means and the ship during the mining operation, this gimbal means being operatively supported in a central part of the elevator means.

In addition to the elevator means which is adapted to clamp and hold certain components within the well portion, an auxiliary support means is also provided which is selectively movable into operative position within the well portion for supporting certain components therewithin.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mining ship including means which permits ready access to the sea for lowering large heavy components of the mining equipment into the sea and for lifting such equipment out of the sea, and which is so positioned as to facilitate handling of the equipment on the ship and positioning of the equipment properly for lowering operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unique ship for use in underwater mining operations which is a self-contained unit and which includes means for storing all the equipment on board the ship and for handling 

1. APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER MINING AT GREAT DEPTHS BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE SEA COMPRISING A SHIP ADAPTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE WATER, SAID SHIP INCLUDING DECK MEANS HAVING TRACK MEANS THEREON, MOVABLE SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID DECK MEANS, SAID MOVABLE SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING BODY MEANS, MEANS ON SAID BODY MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID BODY MEANS FOR MOVEMENT ALONG SAID TRACK MEANS, SAID BODY MEANS HAVING AN OPENING FORMED IN A CENTRAL PORTION THEREOF, SAID OPENING EXTENDING COMPLETELY THROUGH SAID BODY MEANS SO AS TO RECEIVE PORTIONS OF UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BODY MEANS, CLAPPING MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPPOSED CLAMPING MEMBERS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT ALONG THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID BODY MEANS AND BEING DISPOSED ABOVE SAID BODY MEANS, SAID CLAMPING MEANS BEING MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID BODY MEANS TOWARD AND AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER, EACH OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBERS INCLUDING OUTER ENGAGING PORTIONS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT PARTS OF UNDERWATER MINING EQUIPMENT, AND MEANS ON 